Fireproof book



(No Model.) A

F. A. HATTON.

FIRBPROOF BooK. No. 509,533. Patented Nov. 28,1893.

iii 4 sa 1M v i-iiiii UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK A. HATTON, OF RALEIGH, MISSISSIPPI.

FIREPROOF BOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 509,533, dated November 28, 1893.

Application filed May 9, 1893. Serial No. 473,570. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Bc it known that I, FRANK A. HATTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Raleigh, in the countyofSxnith and State of Mississippi, have invented a new and useful Fireproof Book, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates te improvements in that class of books employed for recording deeds, abstracts, and other matters of record Wherei n it is necessary to perpetuate the same, and to preserve them. as near as possible from destruction by floods, fires, dsc.

The objects of my invention are to provide a book that is especially adapted for the above use, and Which is constructed of metal so arranged as to be convenient for inspection as an ordinary book, and to preserve the Written records against fire, flood, (Snc.

With these objects in view the invention consists in certain features of construction hereinafter specified and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings: Figure lis a perspective view of the book closed. Fig. 2 is a similar View of the book open. Fig. 3 is a sectional view.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In practicing my invention I construct the book Wholly of metal, and form the back 1 of suitable thickness and preferably of steel. The back is provided at its edges with steelclips or eyes 2, and the same align with similar eyes or clips 3 which are formed on the front and back covers of the book 4. The curved back 1 is provided at its inner side and at intervals with curved ribs 5, and the same are longitudinally divided forminginner and outer sections, each having a series of aligning half-notches 6. Screw-holes 7 are formed at the ends of the sections whereby the outer section of each rib may be securely clamped upon theinnersection. Pintle-wires 9 are passed through the perforations of and clamped by the rib-sections, each of said pintles being headed at one end and provided with a nut at the other. The pintle-Wires 9 are looselyconnected to companion pintlewires 9, provided with heads and nuts, by intermediate filling plates or Webs 9b of sheet metal. The webs have their opposite edges each provided with clips 9C for looselyengaging the pintles.. To the outer pintles 9a are loosely connected the inner edges of a series of sheet-metal leaves or pages 12, the Vsanne having said edges provided at intervals with clips 12, the clips of each leaf alternating with those of the companion leaves and with those of the Webs.

The sheet pages l2 are preferably provided with copper surfaces, and the art of producing Writings thereon isas follows: The surface is given a thin coating of Wax, and the Writing is produced upon the Wax by any steelpointed instrument, after which by the use of acid applied to the page or sheet, the copper is eaten atthe points exposed, and when the Wax is removed a perpetual record is left and one which cannot be destroyed by any ordinary re or heat.

It will be seen that the book may be conveniently handled and examined page by page, and neither dood nor fire will aect the same, so that records may be made perpetual and assured against destruction; further, that any suitable metal or combination of metals may be employed in the construction of the bOOk.

Having described my invention, What I claim is- 1. In a book, the stiff metal back and opposite covers hinged thereto, said back being provided upon its inner side With perforated ribs, of pairs of pintles, the inner ones of which are received by the ribs, connections between the inner and outer pintles, and a series of sheet metal leaves loosely hung upon the outer pintles, substantially as specified.

` 2. In a book, the combination with the curved steel back having eyes at its edges, the covers having eyes aligning and alternating therewith, and the pintles passed therethrough, of perforated ribs arranged at the inner side of the metal back, pairs of inner and outer pintles arranged in the ribs, an intermediate web connecting loosely the pairs of pintles, and the sheets loosely connected to the outer pintles, substantially as specified.

3. In a book, the combination with the metal back, the hinged covers and the split ribs arranged at the inner side of the back,

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provided with perforations at their points of separation, screws passed through said ribs, of inner and outer series of pintles arranged in pairs, intermediate connections between the pintles, and leaves loosely hinged to the outer pintles, substantially as specified.

4. The combination with the metal back and perforated ribs, hinged covers, ot a series of pintles arranged in pairs, the inner pintles being loosely mounted in the ribs, the intermediate Webs provided with a series of clips or eyes engaging the outerpintles and loosely hung upon the inner pintles, and a series of leaves provided with eyes at variance with those of each other and those of the Webs and also loosely hung upon the pintles, substantially as specified.

5. ln a book, the back having the covers llexibly connected thereto, the curved ribs 5 formed of inner and outer sections and secured to the back, the pintles clamped by the sections of the ribs, and the leaves carried by the pintles, as Set forth.

G. In a book, the metallic back having the metallic covers removably secured thereto, the removable metallic leaves, the pintles therefor, and clamping devices carried by the back for the reception and retention of the pintles, as set forth.

In testimony that l claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

FRANK A. HATTON.

Witnesses:

J. W. TULLos, W. R. BOWLING. 

